May 22, 2007
45
0
I am having a hard decision on what to do.My bike (1985 CR250) my parents got it for $700.00 and after we got it we knoticed it had cooling problems.It wouldn't hold coolant only shoot it out the overflow.So we took it to Iron Horse Motorcycle's.They took it apart and said it needs to be bored over again (It's 20 over now).Also it needs new crankshaft bearings and a new waterpump seal.The reason they said it was overheating was because it had a blown head gasket.They said all of that would run us $1500.BUT we called another place L&J Cycles and he said he would do it all for $800.00 is it worth getting it fixed.We already owe Iron Horse $200.00 for a pilot screw in the carb and a new spark plug.Is it worth getting it fixed?? I am pretty closed on options really I mean I could part it out but wouldn't be able to ride for awhile.Please let me know what You think.
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2strokerfun

Member
May 19, 2006
1,500
1
Hmmm. That's really a question only you can answer. If you could do all but the machining work yourself, you could probably do this for around $350-$400 or so. Obviously you probably will have to pay someone to bore and replate the cylinder or to resleeve the cylinder, but the piston kit, bearings and gaskets should only set you back about $175-$200 or so.
Do you have someone you trust that knows dirt bikes?? Maybe they could look it over real good and give you an opinion. It would be a shame to pump another $800 into it and then have to immediately change wheel bearings, triple tree bearings, sprockets, chain and other things that can add up pretty quick.
From the picture, the bike looks pretty good for its age.
 
May 22, 2007
45
0
Thanks for Your opinion,And it's not really in bad shape.I mean the Actually BIKE itself is in great condition.I mean I don't really have many options available.My parents don't really want to just give me the money for a new one because they just spent $700.00 on that one and they said they would ralther just get that one fixed because we wouldn't be able to get our $700.00 plus the $200.00 out of that one if we sell it or sompthing.So probably my best option would be to get it fixed,But I am asking for a 2nd opinion on here because I hoestly don't know what to do.
 
May 10, 2007
957
0
if it was me i would fix it. ask around see if you know people who know engines and can give you hand. it anything try doing some of the work yourself cuz A) it will cuz down the cost. and B) bikes are more fun when you put the time and work into them.

just make sure that the person you ask knows what they are doing.

hope this helps

ps bike looks great.
 

docgonzo

Member
Feb 27, 2006
24
0
At least take it to another shop to get another opinion. $200 to change a spark plug and pilot jet seems ridiculous for less than $10 in parts and twenty minutes work.

If you buy another old bike, unless it is low hour and mint, you might end up in a similar situation. Like all machines, parts break and wear out over time. It would be a good idea to buy a manual and maybe enlist the help of someone who is mechanicaly inclined to help you learn to work on it yourself.
 

76GMC1500

Uhhh...
Oct 19, 2006
2,142
1
If you do the work yourself it will cost a lot less than $800. How can a pilot screw and spark plug cost $200? You should just send the whole engine to Eric Gorr, I think his labor on a rebuild is something like $350.
 
May 22, 2007
45
0
Well we just went and got it at Iron Horse and they said the $200 was for labor and he gave it to us for $150.I am probably going to fix it because I wouldn't get much for parting it out.More opinions would be greatly apprecaited.
 

76GMC1500

Uhhh...
Oct 19, 2006
2,142
1
Do you know what is involved in replacing a spark plug and pilot screw? It took them more time to open the packages for hte parts than it did to actually replace them.
 

iamdawalru5

Member
Apr 26, 2006
82
1
I say fix it too. I think that just because its older, doesn't mean its not worth what you'd put into a newer bike. Especially since its realllllly clean. In my opinion, not to thrash anyone in anyway but I find that some older bikes have more of a "no nonsense" feel. When I jump on some of the newer 2 strokes, they almost feel like toys to me. Don't get me wrong, if I had the choice I would go newer but I think old bikes deserve a little credit.

Also you have to remember, this sport isnt cheap. If you end up putting over $1500 into it and getting hours of using it for what its meant, and turn around and sell it for a little less than its not a bad deal. If you have ridden it, and like the feel and all around like it then its worth the fix. You won't appreciate anything more than if you put time and effort into it.
 

2strokerfun

Member
May 19, 2006
1,500
1
docgonzo does make a good point: putting a fresh top end, waterpump seal and crank bearings is not unexpected in ANY used bike. Even an '02 bike might need the exact same thing after you buy it.

And I'd get a second opinion on the crank bearings. Who knows, the other shop may find it only needs a new piston, rings and head gasket. But even if the first shop is correct, it's not a bad list for a used bike, especially one that age.
 

hellbertos

Member
Feb 17, 2004
128
0
I agree w/ what everyone else seems to be thinking... the thing is in good shape, that is a pretty good era for CRs (i have one myself) and any used MX'er/offroader is likely to need this type of work.

Buy the manual, ask around to see if you can find someone mechanically inclined to help you work on it so you can save yourself some bux and learn how to keept he thing running.

As someone else said, even if you end up putting another 7-800 in to it, you'll have a nice bike w/ lots of hours of fun in it which will have decent resale value down the road... if you take care of it.

I say go for it!
 

colbyc28

Member
Dec 1, 2006
67
0
I mean this in a good way: Get a new local shop or do it yourself. 200 for pilot and plug is crazy. No wonder you are asking if it is worth it. Someone is GOUGING you. That is a nice bike.... I would roll the ole sleeves up and jump right in.
 

ron82

Member
Jan 4, 2010
8
0
Yeah Fix it

If you dont have any mechanical skills then you have a nice bike to start learning. A 85 cr250 dont have no powervalve and its older so you can find all kinds of info on how to repair different things on that bike and you can also find a lot of good deals on parts on e-bay and craigslist as long as you are sure its the right part.
Check out some videos on you-tube, There is a lot of videos on there showing how to work on your bike and might give you a better idea of what your dealing with.
I have the same bike, i got it for free because it siezed up on the previous owner so he took it apart, didn't know what to do and left it uncovered in the rain and weather for five years.
I took it home and removed the engine, I measured the cylinder and it showed that it had never been bored(66mm) so i searched e bay for a piston .050 for my year and i found a wiseco piston and rings for $50. I also found a 89 cr250 bottom end with everything including a good crank and excluding the clutch cover for $50 plus $20 shipping.
The bottom end even came with gaskets stator covers and other extra parts. I got a good deal on that because the right side crank seal blew out so i ordered an engine oil seal kit for $22 and a gasket kit on E-bay for $20 Crank bearings For $30 and about $60 for trans bearings From local bearing dealer.
I watched videos on how to remove and install crankcase bearings on you tube, It looked easy, i just had to make the tool to split the case and remove the crankshaft, with a little welding it was simple. The pic at the bottom was the 85crankcase of my bike when i got it. the engine on my bike in the other pic is the 89 i got off e-bay totally compatible after swapping powervalve actuator rod and dowel(for height) and using 85 clutch cover.
So in the end i put about $250 into a free bike the engine is now totally rebuilt and runs strong.
It was pretty easy and now i got a cheap bike that rips.
So I'd say get some tools and a book on your model and just learn what you can about how it works and how to work on it. The manual will teach you a lot if your serious about it. Then you wont have to pay that much for spark plugs and idle screws, just for the part.
search microfiche for your model, you can get part #'s and find detailed pictures on everything for your bike incase you forget where something went
And like others have said, it will be a lot cheaper and more fun and you will be a better troubleshooter if you bring it to life yourself.
Good luck with it and i hope this helps!
 
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rmc_olderthandirt

~SPONSOR~
Apr 18, 2006
1,533
8
crazymotoxrider said:
So we took it to Iron Horse Motorcycle's.They took it apart and said it needs to be bored over again (It's 20 over now).
.....

We already owe Iron Horse $200.00 for a pilot screw in the carb and a new spark plug.


Something isn't quite making sense, perhaps Iron Horse isn't being fairly represented here.

The only way they could know that the engine was bored 20 over is to have taken the head off. To know that the water pump needs a new seal and the crank bearings need replacement would require additional disassembly. $200 isn't all that unreasonable for an engine tear down and diagnosis.

Like everyone else has said this bike would be a great learning tool. Two strokes are easy to work on and you will learn a lot just doing the work your self. It sounds like you have a couple of shops nearby where you can take the parts for machining and purchase new parts so you should be in pretty good shape.

Is it riding season where you are now? If you are smack in the middle of riding season then I would be tempted to just put a new set of rings, head gasket and water pump seal in it and ride it for a while. Get to know the bike a little better, find out what else might be wrong with it and plan on doing a more complete overhaul in the near future.

If you can't ride right now anyway then I say tear into it.

Like others have said, you could buy a one year old bike and still need to do a top end rebuild on it.

Rod
 

2strokerfun

Member
May 19, 2006
1,500
1
Two and a half year old post. I'm guessing the bike has been fixed, sold, junked or parted out by now. He should have just given it to me !! (Might be a little new for my taste, though, with that fancy-boy liquid cooling, high-zoot single rear shock and all)
 

The Redrider

Member
Jun 14, 2019
238
32
Fast forward to 2019, I have an 1985, and it runs like a beast! It even has compression adjusters on the forks, lol!
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